UALC Together Campaign Guidebook

Campaign Guidebook

19 CONSEQUENTLY, YOU ARE NO LONGER FOREIGNERS AND STRANGERS, BUT FELLOW CITIZENS WITH GOD’S PEOPLE AND ALSO MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD, 20 BUILT ON THE FOUNDATION OF THE APOSTLES AND PROPHETS, WITH CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF AS THE CHIEF CORNERSTONE. ²¹IN HIM THE WHOLE BUILDING IS JOINED TOGETHER AND RISES TO BECOME A HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD. ²²AND IN HIM YOU TOO ARE BEING BUILT TOGETHER TO BECOME A DWELLING IN WHICH GOD LIVES BY HIS SPIRIT.

Ephesians 2:19-22

This book belongs to:

“The House We Build Together”

Small Group, Personal Study

Dear UALC family,

The church is a house we build together.

God is the real builder, of course. Psalm 127:1 says, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.” We depend on God to accomplish the best, most important things in us. The things that last. Without him, it’s all just in vain.

But God has called us to be builders too. We build together with God. And we do that work together with one another. In fact, God builds us to be a house together:

“In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy Temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:21-22.

Our “house” has two houses, one on Lytham Road and one at Mill Run. God uses those buildings and properties for all kinds of vital ministry. And like many of our own houses, these houses will outlive us. They were passed on to us. We use them and find blessing in them. We care for them, and then we pass them on to be a blessing to their future owners.

These houses have housed great work at UALC! I believe they will house great work for years to come, but they need help. In the following pages, you will find information about the life and ministry of our church as well as the planned repairs and renovations to position our church for fruitful ministry in the decades to come.

When I arrive in the buildings of our church, I reflect on those who built these houses before us. They invested in our church, and we are the beneficiaries of their faith and sacrifice. One day, twenty years from now, the children of our church will bring their children to worship, pray, grow, and trust Jesus within these walls. And our children’s children will give thanks to God for the faith and sacrifice of our generation, as we give thanks for those who have gone before us.

God will build the house. And we get to build with him. Together.

To be and to make disciples of Jesus Christ, Pastor Steve

Capital Campaign

Introduction

UALC is called to the same mission God gave us seven decades ago. In fact, as Pastor Steve often says, this is an exciting time to be the church! The community around us needs Jesus as much or more than ever. There are, today, more unchurched and unreached people within a few miles of our two campuses than there have been at any time in UALC’s history. That means our work isn’t finished! God is using UALC to reach our community with the Gospel. We are seeing guests every week, have recently welcomed a record number of new members and are celebrating multiple baptisms every month. The “Together" campaign is an opportunity for UALC to rally together to prepare ourselves and our facilities to strengthen this vital, gospel ministry for the decades to come.

In this campaign we are working primarily to renovate our Lytham Road Campus, which serves as a center of worship and community life for the congregation and as a missional outpost within the community of Upper Arlington. We have a renewed sense of calling to the specific neighborhood where, 70 years ago, our forebearers built UALC’s first sanctuary. We have been praying for the neighborhood, reaching out, and we are seeing great fruit from this ministry. As the neighborhood around the Lytham Road Campus continues to draw new families, as well as second and third generation Arlingtonians into our community, we believe God has called UALC to be there, welcoming them into Christian community, serving their needs and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to them.

We have already shared the description and images of what revitalizing the Lytham Road Campus will look like, and you can find more in this book. This campaign is about more than that though. We are campaigning not only for building renovations. We are campaigning to grow our faith, commitment, and unity in Christ. It's about coming together, as one, to invest in the facility, the vision of UALC, and the mission we share.

The Together campaign has two simple goals that reflect those priorities:

1. 100% PARTICIPATION

We want every person who calls UALC home to grow in Christ and strengthen the unity of our church by participating in this campaign. We invite everyone to a spiritually catalytic encounter with God about giving a financial sacrifice and about taking next steps of faith as the Spirit leads.

2. $10 MILLION

We are seeking and praying for the funds to renovate our buildings and grounds to pursue our vision to be an Oasis of God’s Kingdom for the dry and thirsty world around us.

Please accept this invitation to participate in our Together campaign. Please attend worship on Sunday mornings to hear Biblical teaching about our vision for life and ministry together. And please pray wholeheartedly about God’s next steps for you.

We give thanks to God for the steps of faith taken by those who built the church for us. Now, in our generation, we come together in faith to build up the church for those who will come after us. Everything in this book can also be located on our campaign website:

Remembering God's Faithfulness

Founding

Upper Arlington Lutheran Church was founded as a mission to a new community in Columbus in the 1950s. Beginning in the basement of a private home, the church grew quickly. After outgrowing a basement, UALC began to meet at what is now the Wellington School, before building their first sanctuary on Lytham Road.

From the beginning, this mission-driven DNA was set deep within the heart of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church. A love for the Lord, for the Gospel, and for the community God had called UALC to reach, would continue to be the driving force of a church determined to “preach, teach, and live the gospel that people come to know Jesus Christ and are matured in their relationship with him.”

Worship Begins on Lytham Road

On May 25, 1958, UALC began to worship in the first sanctuary, that we now call Founders’ Hall. God began reaching more and more of UALC’s neighbors as the church established a reputation for deep commitment to God’s Word, worship, the sacraments, and life in Christ together. It would not be long before the sanctuary needed to be expanded to fit the growing church as God continued to add to the community he had called together at UALC.

The UALC Community Expands

In the 1970s and early 1980s, UALC’s deep commitment to ministry in the Gospel continued to flourish. After building a new sanctuary in 1971 the church experienced a renewal they called, “The New Day.” In the Lytham Road sanctuary, the church built an “Ebenezer” – a pile of stones marking the faithfulness of God and the church’s on-going, obedient response. The church members recommitted themselves together to the Great Commission of Jesus, to be a witness to the world around them, and to make disciples of Jesus, through worship, service, prayer, and faithfulness to the Scriptures. That commitment, in many ways, continues to express itself in the core DNA of UALC to this day.

Throughout this season of renewal, the church continued to experience numerical growth and, before long, it was necessary to expand the sanctuary yet again. The Lytham Road sanctuary, as we know it today, was finished in 1983. It would continue to serve as the engine for the mission of UALC with strong fellowship, worship, proclamation of the Gospel, and the practice of the sacraments fueling the on-going mission of the Church.

Ministry to the Next Generation Flourishes

Along with making additions to the sanctuary, the church recognized the need to create more space for ministry to the next generation. The fruit of this decision would be the Lytham Road fellowship hall, but more importantly, the thriving children’s and youth ministry that found a home in the new space.

God used UALC to make a lasting impact on generations of kids and teens in the community through ministries like Carol Choir, Choristers, Vacation Bible School, Tetélestai, and Luther League (middle school and high school ministries). Many of today's adult leaders in the congregation, skinned their knees, met their spouses, and learned to love and follow Jesus in the fellowship hall and other kids and youth spaces that were created during the renovations and building expansion campaign of 1983.

The fellowship hall was not only used for kids’ and youth ministry. It was also the home for a thriving adult Sunday school ministry. Through the 80s and 90s, hundreds of adults, each week, would gather in the fellowship hall to hear Bible teaching and commit, together, to learn and respond to God’s Word.

UALC Establishes a Preschool

In 1968, God called UALC to launch a ministry to preschoolers and their families. Beginning humbly, and growing significantly over the last 55 years, the UALC Preschool is a staple of the wider northwest suburban community. Like VBS and youth ministries at UALC, the preschool has had a generational impact. Many kids who went through the preschool now send their children to UALC to learn, grow, and experience the love of Christ.

Today, the preschool continues to thrive. Every year the demand for registration outpaces the preschool capacity. The Lytham Road team and preschool staff believe that there is great potential for the preschool to grow, and to increase its fruitfulness in UALC’s ongoing mission to reach the next generation (and their families!) for Jesus.

The Vision and Reach of UALC Expands

Beginning in the early 1990s, it became clear that God was continuing to grow the impact of UALC. Those who worshiped at Lytham Road in the 80's and 90's often tell stories of the joys (and frustrations) of packing 2,000 members into the narrow hallways and small common spaces of the Lytham Road Campus.

The church began to pray, dream, and seek the Lord for what would come next. In the fall of 1990, the church felt called to purchase 24 acres of property across the river from Lytham Road, in the Mill Run neighborhood of Hilliard. After years of praying over the land and seeking the Lord, the vision for what we now call “Mill Run" emerged, and plans were created for a new, larger campus that would allow the ministry of UALC to continue to flourish.

On New Year’s Eve, 1999, the Mill Run Campus was first opened for worship. Over the years that would follow, members from the existing UALC community, as well as a wave of new members would fill the Mill Run Campus – expanding the worship attendance, the kids and teen ministry reach, and the missional field of the church.

Life in the Community of UALC

What happened in the physical buildings of UALC only tells part of the story of this vibrant community. The community of UALC also took place in living rooms, coffee shops, workplaces, and backyards across the city. Over the years, these community groups and ministries have been called SALT groups, small groups, Bible studies, and men’s and women’s ministry. Through all of it, hundreds and hundreds of people have come into community with one another and deeper in relationship with Jesus.

Additional ministries like camps, adventure trips, bike trips, music festivals, ski outings, and short-term mission trips round out some of the picture of community life at UALC. While these events do not need interior space, these outward expressions of the life of the church have emanated from the central hub of worship, study, and fellowship which have taken place over nearly 70 years during UALC’s existence.

Service and Mission Beyond the Walls of UALC

The movement of the UALC community into mission involvement outside the boundaries of UALC happened more as a grassroots movement from the membership than it was a top-down strategic initiative. Many members of UALC have felt called to serve the Lord in one way or another. These grassroots movements have led to things we know, today, as “Bed Brigade,” “Hilltop Preschool,” “God’s Hygiene Help Center,” and “Festa.” Smaller ministries that you may not have heard of, like the bike ministry, quilting ministry, Kairos Prison Ministry, and many others have also grown, organically from the spiritual and community life of the congregation.

UALC has also built a rich and longstanding relationship with missionaries both at home and abroad. UALC has over 30 mission partners ranging from collegiate ministries in the states, to evangelists serving in nations where the Gospel is outlawed. Every year 20% of the church’s offering is given to support these ministries. We have been part of supporting and blessing other ministries, and have gained, richly, from the teaching, training and experiences those partners allow our congregation to have.

Stories

The history of UALC is not just a history of buildings and programs, it is a history of people. God has been writing His story into the lives of our members for many years. Listen to these stories of generosity and impact from UALC members Judy Webb and Millie and Jack Adams.

While my husband was still alive, we learned how to tithe together, but once widowed, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. This is where faith stepped in as I continued the practice of giving regularly. Now, considering why I practice tithing, I realize it has become a habit. While this can be good, I recognize that prayer isn’t involved in my decision to 'give what he has first given me.' I no longer struggle to discern how much to give – a tithe is 10% – pretty cut and dried. But shouldn’t there be more to it, maybe some sacrifice; maybe some pain involved? 'Give until it hurts' comes to mind. Maybe it is better put as, 'give until your love is obvious.' This exercise is teaching me that prayer needs to precede every important decision, especially tithing. From now on, every tithe and offering will be discerned in prayer."

– Judy Webb

'If I see farther, it is because I am standing on the shoulders of the giants who came before me.' Isaac Newton might have said that, but Jack and I have experienced that in the 50 years we have been privileged to be part of what God is doing at UALC. It all started in high school, when Jack was invited to a Luther League meeting. His faith took root and grew through college and serving as the Youth Director at UALC. When we got married and moved to Columbus, we raised our three boys at UALC. Jack served on Council three times, once as president, and he chaired three church constitution committees. VBS, Women of the Word, Crossways, and the Missions Committee have been sources of engagement and service for me. We have been involved in three capital campaigns, and we have rejoiced in how UALC continues to be a beacon of God's love and hope to a world desperately in need of him.

Those 'giants' who came before us are truly saints, and we know that a great cloud of witnesses are cheering us on as we prepare to serve the next generation who will meet Jesus right here at UALC. We are thrilled to be part of the Together campaign, and we are praying for God's blessing as he leads us, calling us to be and make disciples.”

– Millie and Jack Adams

Looking Forward

UALC’s campuses at Mill Run and Lytham Road tell a story. They point to the faithfulness of God, and the people who’ve called UALC home over the last 70 years. They also speak to the significance of the mission and message we carry – both buildings stand as fixtures of the community and beacons of the Gospel. We desire that these buildings continue to serve our mission and ministry well for years to come.

Buildings and grounds speak to the values of a community. We form opinions about organizations based on things like signage, lobby spaces, etc. We desire to improve the way the buildings and grounds communicate welcome to our neighbors and guests. We also want to increase the visibility of ministry to kids and teens, especially at Lytham Road. It’s also important to us that the buildings work for people of all abilities, requiring us to make significant improvements to accessibility at Lytham Road.

For two years, we’ve listened to staff, ministry leaders, and congregants, gathering information on what could help our facilities better serve our ministries and tell the story of UALC. The result of that work is a full “master plan” for both campuses. That full plan is something we can work toward over the course of the next decade. What you will read about in this guidebook, and hear about in this campaign series, is the first sequence in that plan. For the next 3-5 years, we will be primarily focused on the needs of the Lytham Road Campus.

The goal of these improvements is to refresh and restore the campus for years of ministry to come. In the next several pages you will read more about the overall master plan, with an emphasis on the Lytham Road improvements that are part of this year’s capital campaign.

FOUNDERS HALL

SALVAGED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS RELOCATED TO THIS WALL. BACK LIGHT.

SALVAGED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS RELOCATED TO THIS WALL. BACK LIGHT.

HIGH TOP COUNTER WITH ROLL DOWN SHUTTER

Sanctuaries

LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS

NEW MOBILE PARTITION

The Lytham Road sanctuary is classic and beautiful. But, like Mill Run, it will also benefit from updates that refresh the look of the space. We can enhance both Modern and Traditional worship through updates to the lighting, technical systems, as well as chancel size and accessibility. Additionally, the sanctuary update will create a dedicated cry room, more flexible seating areas, and improved accessibility for congregants with wheelchairs or walkers, including access to the choir loft for those who wish to continue their music ministry.

MILL RUN CAMPUS

In the summer of 2021, the church was able to make substantial updates to the Mill Run sanctuary. This included refreshing finishes like paint, flooring and upholstery. It also included technical systems that allowed for livestreaming and improved audio and visual presentation to enhance worship.

RELOCATED MARY STAINED GLASS FROM LOBBY NEW DOORS WITH FULL LITE GLASS

EXISTING TECH BOOTH TO FELLOWSHIP HALL

Lobby and Fireside

LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS

Planned renovations for the Lytham Road lobby area will greatly expand the capacity of the lobby for Sunday morning fellowship and special events throughout the week. An updated fireside lounge will function well to serve coffee on Sunday mornings, and to host small groups, prayer groups, and meetings throughout the week. So much of our community life together happens in these common spaces, that these updates have the potential to make the Lytham Road Campus feel more welcoming and vibrant, in service of our mission.

MILL RUN CAMPUS

At Mill Run, there is plenty of lobby space, but future renovations to the lobby can greatly improve traffic flow, sight lines, and warmth. Eventual plans for the Mill Run lobby involve relocating the elevator to open up the first-impression when guests enter the space. We also imagine elements in the lobby that will help to bring the scale of the space down to a warmer, more personal size. What is currently called “Room 2031/32” would become the Mill Run “fireside lounge” to match Lytham Road, providing the same warm, comfortable environment for meetings, prayer groups, small groups, and other ministry use.

FOUNDERS HALL

SALVAGED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS RELOCATED TO THIS WALL. BACK LIGHT.

SALVAGED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS RELOCATED TO THIS WALL. BACK LIGHT.

Kids and Youth Spaces

LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS

Changes at Lytham Road will include a new kids ministry area on the main floor of the building, including moving the nursery up to the main floor near the lobby. We believe this will better serve our parents and kids, and better reflect our value for reaching the next generation at the church. We will also be able to expand the preschool by two classrooms and create a youth space for middle school and high school programming.

MILL RUN CAMPUS

Mill Run will benefit from better furnishing and equipping of rooms that are used for kids and youth ministries. Additionally, increased visibility of kid and youth spaces will help our youngest members know that there is a place for them to belong at the church.

Education and Event Spaces

LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS

Fellowship hall and Founders’ Hall both get used for large group Bible studies, Sunday school, and other large-group events. In this renovation, these spaces will be refreshed and outfitted with new audio and visual equipment to improve our ability to host events, studies, and large group meetings.

These spaces will be vital to a new all-church education program which is being planned to launch after the renovation is complete.

MILL RUN CAMPUS

Larger classrooms and the fellowship hall are in need of updates to audio and visual equipment.

New systems in these rooms will allow ministries and ministry leaders to be more effective and selfsufficient in leading activities, teachings, etc., which increasingly include the use of microphones, TVs, and video teaching content.

Outdoor Spaces

The outdoor space around a church tells the story of the congregation to the surrounding community. We believe that both of our campuses could have outdoor spaces which are more active, inviting, and community-oriented.

LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS

At Lytham Road we imagine new, accessible playground equipment for the preschool and neighborhood. We also imagine sport courts on the south parking lot to facilitate things like pickleball, basketball and other community activities. On the north side of the building, we envision tables for gathering, a fire pit for small groups or neighbors to use, and better use of green space. We can also improve landscaping to help our parking lots fit more seamlessly into the feeling of the Lytham Road neighborhood.

MILL RUN CAMPUS

The large, park-like space outside of Mill Run could be activated to function more like a neighborhood park for our members and the Mill Run community. We imagine adding a more effective amphitheater for outdoor worship and community events, a pavilion for groups to use for ministry events, playgrounds for older and younger children, a prayer garden, walking paths, and a dog park to help serve many of the pet owners in the neighboring apartments. All of this will allow us to grow our impact on our local neighbors and foster the kind of outreach we dream of for the Mill Run Campus.

PHOTO

EXISTING STAINED GLASS WINDOWS AND RELOCATE. CLEAR ART GLASS WINDOWS IN EXISTING WINDOW LOCATIONS ON THIS WALL

SALVAGED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS RELOCATED TO THIS WALL. BACK LIGHT.

STAINED GLASS FROM LOBBY FULL LITE GLASS RAMP UP

BOOTH

FOUNDERS HALL

SALVAGED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS RELOCATED TO THIS WALL. BACK LIGHT.

SALVAGED STAINED GLASS WINDOWS RELOCATED TO THIS WALL. BACK LIGHT.

Safety and Accessibility

LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS

A major focus of the renovation at Lytham Road is to improve safety and accessibility in the building. Sprinkler systems will be installed throughout the building to help with fire safety. Door locks and improved security measures will also be part of the plan. Accessibility will be improved across the building. These improvements include: better access points to preschool classrooms, handicap accessible bathrooms, more flexible seating in the sanctuary to make space for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and a lift to improve access to the choir-room level of the building, the basement, and the sanctuary balcony.

MILL RUN CAMPUS

At Mill Run, handicapped and stroller parking will be added on the garden side of the sanctuary, allowing entry to the building much closer to the sanctuary. Improvements can also be made to existing bathrooms to aid accessibility. Outdoor features, like the playgrounds, amphitheater seating, walking paths, and prayer garden will also be designed with an eye to accessibility for people of all ages and abilities.

Supporting Systems

LYTHAM ROAD CAMPUS

The mechanical systems of Lytham Road are all in need of attention. In this renovation we will be able to repair or replace existing chillers and boilers, improving the climate control of the building and the efficiency of systems. Each room will also be better equipped with technology designed to facilitate the ministry in that space, including: TVs, audio amplification, electrical and wireless internet distribution, etc. Additionally, we will be able to address issues we currently have with moisture through better waterproofing of the foundation and grading of the outdoor space around the building.

MILL RUN CAMPUS

While we think of Mill Run as the “new campus” it is now 23 years old. The roof and many of the mechanical systems at Mill Run will soon be passing their expected lifespan and will be in need of repair or replacement. Additionally, improved technical systems in large group spaces and classrooms will help facilitate all of the many ministries that are hosted weekly at the Mill Run Campus.

Stories

God is still at work at UALC. This campaign is an opportunity to partner with God as he continues to write new stories in the lives of his people every day. The neighbors we hope to reach at Lytham Road and Mill Run have stories, names, and faces. Here are two stories of the impact UALC has made on two families from the community.

“While our family has only recently become members of UALC, we have been connected to the church for years – a testament to how invested UALC is in the community of Upper Arlington and greater Columbus. My husband grew up involved in the youth ministry at UALC, and all three of our kiddos attended preschool at Lytham Road. When we bought our second house in UA, we felt led to find a church that was closer to our home and invested in this specific community. When attending UALC for the first time, we felt welcomed and comfortable. Tammy Schuster quickly came to our home to check in, making sure we felt connected and cared for. Through Bible studies, kids' ministry, men’s gatherings, and classes, we have found intimate fellowship and biblical encouragement. We are grateful for the ministry of Upper Arlington Lutheran Church!”

– Tracy and Tony Kabealo

Our family has been coming to UALC since 2019. Patrick and I got married in 2020 and had our first son, Theo, in December 2021. As young new parents, we were not sure what to expect as we returned to church and 'real life' after having a baby. UALC ended up being a place where we found connection, support, and love for our growing family in this season of life. Fellow community members offered to help hold and rock him when he cried, an anonymous crocheter made us a baby blanket and other parents offered advice, lent us books, and answered all the questions we had as new parents (like 'will we ever sleep again?').

Theo, now one year old, likes listening and clapping to music during worship, looking at the stained-glass windows in the sanctuary, or playing with friends in the nursery. At community events and service every week, there is a sense of belonging and inclusion for us, our son, and his grandfather. The emphasis on belonging for multiple generations has been incredible. Having him grow up in a place where he is loved, valued, and exposed early and often to the Word of God has been invaluable to us as a family, and we are so blessed we are able to call UALC home."

– Rylan and Patrick Dunn

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the objectives of the Together campaign?

The Together campaign has two main objectives: 1) 100% participation. We want every person who calls UALC home to grow in Christ and strengthen the unity of our church by participating in this campaign. We invite everyone to a spiritually catalytic encounter with God about giving a financial sacrifice and about taking next steps of faith as the Spirit leads. 2) $10 million. We are seeking and praying for the funds to renovate our buildings and grounds to pursue our vision to be an Oasis of God’s Kingdom for the dry and thirsty world around us.

What has been the process that brought us to this campaign?

About two years ago, our church council formed an exploratory committee to consider how our buildings might be improved to serve our vision. A prayer committee was also established at the same time to pray for UALC throughout the whole process. The church council oversaw the exploratory process and subsequently voted: 1) to approve work with a design firm for initial design concepts; and later 2) to approve more detailed drawings and a $10 million fundraising campaign. General design ideas and priorities were also presented and discussed at the September 2022 Congregational Meeting (and subsequent "town hall" meeting), and in other public forums.

Wow $10 million, that’s a lot of money. How will it be spent?

Our focus will be on our Lytham Road Campus, as that 60-year-old building is aging and in need of major infrastructure upgrades (sprinkler system, HVAC updates, expanded accessibility, etc.). We will renew our Lytham Road sanctuary, update our kids and youth spaces, expand and refresh the lobby, and improve our outdoor spaces at both Mill Run and Lytham Road as we welcome our neighbors and invite them in. Our award-winning preschool program will have updated space that fits its reputation as the best preschool in the region.

I already give to UALC. How could I give more? Will this negatively impact our annual budget?

The Together campaign is about more than our finances (although Jesus talks more about money than any other subject!). We are praying that this season of focusing on what God has for our church both now and in the future will be the opportunity to grow deeply in our walk with the Lord. As we trust him with our finances, we are confident that he will strengthen our faith. What a great opportunity to trust him in all areas of our lives. Together gifts can be pledged over a 3-year period. They are gifts above and beyond our regular giving.

Why don’t we just sell the Lytham Road Campus? It seems like we’d have the money and we’d all be in one place.

God led our founders to plant a church in Upper Arlington more than 60 years ago. Worship began in the basement of the first pastor’s home. Since then, UALC grew to include two campuses, one in Upper Arlington and one in Hilliard. We have a rare opportunity to bring the message of Jesus to a neighborhood that we are clearly a part of. We feel called to share the gospel both in Upper Arlington and Hilliard. The Lord brings people to us from throughout central Ohio.

What if we don’t meet the goal? Will we take on debt?

UALC has worked hard to be a debt-free church. We have prayed and worked hard to determine that a $10 million goal is doable. We will likely need bridge financing since the construction will be completed before all of the Together donations are received over the next three years. However, this financing will be paid for with the pledged gifts as they are made.

Will construction impact our current ministries?

Yes. We will need to move our preschool to the Mill Run Campus for the 2023-24 school year. We are working on those plans now. Our goal is that we will continue to worship at Lytham Road (in the fellowship hall) as long as we can, in both Traditional and Modern formats, although all other activities will move over to Mill Run for a season. If we move worship entirely out of our Lytham Road Campus, we will continue to have a Traditional service. We are working on a number of contingency plans and are praying through these options with Council.

THE HOUSE WE BUILD

together

God will build the house. And we get to build with him. Together.

WEEK 1

WEEK 2

WEEK 3

WEEK 4

WEEK 5

The Cornerstone

The Foundation

The Family Room & Kitchen

The Attic

The Front Porch

The Cornerstone

¹

Ephesians 2:13-22

¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

OUR VISION FOR WORSHIP TOGETHER

Worship is the catalyst for our vision. Just like it all started in Acts 2, the Spirit is given to the gathered community in prayer and proclamation of the Gospel and the breaking of bread.

Sunday morning is the high point of the week, and the church family gathers with a palpable sense of personal warmth and spiritual vitality every weekend. All the church's generations, loving one another in victory over cultural rivalries, are active and visible as participants and leaders in worship. The Gospel is proclaimed, and people are entering the Kingdom of God, for the first time and more fully all the time.

God is honored, and believers are encouraged and strengthened. Unbelieving guests feel loved, intrigued, and inspired, like they are guests in the home of a remarkable family: “If this is what ‘Christian’ means, tell me more; I'm interested.”

To learn more about our vision for worship, please visit

In order to support our growing and unified worship life at Mill Run, we renovated the Mill Run sanctuary in 2021 with an expanded platform, new technology, and new finishes. Our plans for the Lytham Road sanctuary have the same goals. A more accessible chancel platform, new technology, new finishes, better lighting, and a cry room will support our ability to host both traditional and modern worship for all generations and enhance the proclamation of the Gospel as we worship together for years to come.

Life can feel shaky and uncertain. Or we might feel directionless and confused. But Jesus is the cornerstone of Christian life and community. He provides both strength and direction. Even when life knocks us down, the cornerstone is there to build on again and again, strong and secure from the ground up. When we gather for worship on Sundays, the Gospel of Jesus is central to all we do and who we are. We worship the name of the Jesus, we hear the Good News of his salvation, we are formed to walk his way, we gather at his Table, and we are sent back into the world as a witness to his hope. Come build your life on Jesus, the perfect cornerstone.

What I found encouraging, compelling, or challenging from the Sunday service:

My major takeaway from this week’s sermon:

What God is bringing to my attention this week as I read and pray:

Notes and prayer:

SMALL GROUPS

In Ephesians 2 the church is described as a household; the whole of which is unified to be the Lord’s holy temple — with Christ as the cornerstone. A cornerstone is the first stone laid in a building, preceding all other stones that will go into the building. It also geographically orients the direction of the building, even before it is built.

In what ways has Jesus been the cornerstone for our church? How have you seen the church follow and be directed by Christ?

In what ways has Jesus joined together — unified — the church?

What might be at risk if we — the church — were not unified, stabilized, and directed by Christ the Cornerstone?

NEXT STEP PRAYERS

“God, how are you calling me to grow in my worship of you and my experience of worship together?”

“God, are you calling me to any kind of volunteer role serving others in my church as part of Sunday worship or Kids' Church?”

“God, please guide me in making a financial commitment to the Together campaign. Teach me to steward my resources wisely, generously, and faithfully to build up worship in your church.”

Ephesians 2:20

¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

2 Timothy 3:14-17

¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

OUR VISION FOR BIBLICAL EDUCATION

At UALC we engage the Scriptures and the words of Jesus regularly and formatively in the weekly practices of gathered worship, and we extend and enrich this evangelical engagement with Scripture through an ecosystem of biblical formation, including small group discussions, daily worship, and prayer.

We are grounded in foundational Christian doctrines through a central catechesis plan that aims at both the teaching of our minds and the holistic formation of our hearts. Disciples of Jesus at UALC will grow in their Biblical literacy and engagement, learning how to read, apply, and trust the words of Scripture as disciples of Jesus. We learn together the hope of the Gospel, the role of God’s law, the meaning of the cross, and the role of the Church.

The strength of our Gospel catechesis prepares us to engage relevant and difficult questions thoughtfully and creatively, recognizing the real needs and challenges of our age without settling for unsatisfying mirages masquerading as answers.

The fruit of our educational ministry is the fruit of the Spirit. We understand that knowledge puffs up, but love builds up (1 Corinthians 8:1), so we pursue and pray for increasing humility and charity to be the constant companions of increasing knowledge and clarity.

To learn more about our vision for education, please visit www.ualc.org/about.

RENOVATION

The Together campaign will build and enhance classrooms and meeting rooms for adults and children to support Bible study, small groups, and classes. Improved preschool classrooms help us a build a strong foundation of Biblical truth for the youngest among us. Future upgrades are planned to enhance our ability to record and distribute teaching materials more effectively beyond the walls of UALC.

It’s true. The Bible is really long. It can sometimes be hard to read. And people have misused it in so many ways. But it’s also a beautiful, powerful, life-changing witness to the faithfulness of God in Jesus Christ. And millions of people over thousands of years have wisely built their lives on the foundational writings of the “apostles and prophets.” Come and learn how to engage the Bible in all its beauty, grace, and power and find a firm foundation for life.

What I found encouraging, compelling, or challenging from the Sunday service:

My major takeaway from this week’s sermon:

What God is bringing to my attention this week as I read and pray:

Notes and prayer:

SMALL GROUPS

2 Timothy 3:14 says “Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it.”

How does our relationship with others influence our approach to learning? How does our relationship with Jesus influence our approach to learning?

Ephesians 2:20 tells us that we are building our church community together on the foundation of those saints in the Lord who have gone before us, particularly the apostles and prophets.

Who are the people who have laid the foundation of your faith? Which parts of church-life have been foundational?

How might that word from Ephesians influence our approach to Christian discipling and instruction? How might that word influence our approach to those who come after us, who are being “built” into the house of God on our shoulders?

NEXT STEP PRAYERS

“God, how are you calling me to grow in my Biblical learning and engagement?”

“God, are you calling me to any kind of volunteer role serving others, in kids or youth ministry or other, adult learning environments?”

“God, please guide me in making a financial commitment to the Together campaign. Teach me to steward my resources wisely, generously, and faithfully to support Biblical education in your church.”

Ephesians 2:19

¹⁹Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.

²¹In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²²And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 3:14-19

¹⁴For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

OUR VISION FOR BELONGING

The church of Jesus Christ has been a community movement from the very beginning, sharing life together in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

The people of UALC are knit together in a multi-layered web of Christian community where everyone can know and be known, love and be loved, and care and be cared for. Large group settings are warm and welcoming – like a family reunion that always has room at the table for more. Mid-size and smaller environments offer the opportunity for increasingly greater levels of trust, vulnerability, and commitment to one another. Small group ministry is central to the relational life of our church, where members learn, grow, pray together, and care for one another.

To embody the way of Jesus in community is to lay down our lives in love for one another. We look not to our own interests but to the interests of others, and we build one another up in love. Elders will ask, “Does this reach and disciple the next generation?” Younger generations will ask, “Are we honoring and serving our elders?” Long-tenured members will ask, “How well will this work for new people?” Long-serving leaders will ask, “Am I empowering others to grow and serve?” Up-and-comers will add their own contributions to something bigger than themselves.

To learn more about our vision for belonging, please

OUR VISION FOR NEXT GENERATION MINISTRIES

Kids and teenagers are not only the future of the church but also part of the whole family of God now. They participate in the all the church’s ministries, including Sunday worship. All throughout our church life, we empower younger people to participate and make meaningful contributions. Specific Next Gen ministries are irresistible oasis environments, full of counter-cultural love and truth. Kids and teens experience Next Gen ministry environments as so refreshing, so joyful, and so valuable that they remind their parents to get them there. When UALC kids encounter hostile critiques of Christianity among their friends or if they go away to college, they will have a rich set of experiences and clear set of convictions to guard their faith and strengthen them for faithful witness in an unbelieving world.

To learn more about our vision for Next Gen Ministries, visit www.ualc.org/about.

RENOVATION

We are renovating our buildings to support life together across our generations. Kids spaces will be renovated and refurnished. The UALC preschool is getting major improvements in classrooms, infrastructure, and outdoor play space. Youth spaces will get the equipment they need. And gathering spaces and meeting rooms are being rebuilt or refinished to promote a warmer welcome and facilitate stronger community connections. Accessibility upgrades will help everyone, including aging members and those with special physical challenges. Our buildings reflect our vision to build a community in Christian love for one another.

GATHERED WORSHIP

As wonderful as it is to share a meal in someone’s home, it’s another whole level of relationship when you’re comfortable to walk into the kitchen, open their refrigerator, and find what you need. “Refrigerator rights” belong to friends who are becoming family. In a world divided in countless ways, Jesus makes us family. At UALC we’re committed to the whole family of God, where each generation belongs and contributes. And we all share the special commitment to raise up the next generation in Christ. In the desert we may be foreigners and strangers to one another. At the Oasis we are one family.

What I found encouraging, compelling, or challenging from the Sunday service:

My major takeaway from this week’s sermon:

DAILY WORSHIP

What God is bringing to my attention this week as I read and pray:

Notes and prayer:

SMALL GROUPS

When you think of genuinely belonging in a community or family, what comes to mind? What things might lead you to say “I belong here?”

What are some of your favorite memories from your childhood? How have good memories like these shaped who you are now?

In Ephesians 3:17 we hear Paul describing the church as “being rooted and established in love.”

In what ways has Jesus rooted and established our church in love?

How might we continue our legacy of practicing love for one another? Who might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to love, and how?

NEXT STEP PRAYERS

“God, how are you calling me to grow in my experience of belonging at UALC?”

“God, are you calling me to any kind of volunteer role serving others to help them connect and feel part of the whole family of God?”

“God, please guide me in making a financial commitment to the Together campaign. Teach me to steward my resources wisely, generously, and faithfully to support the practice of Christian community in every generation.”

¹²Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

¹⁷If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²²On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. ²⁹Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

OUR VISION FOR THE INVISIBLE

Some of the most important things are the least visible. Nobody notices the mustard seed, the roots, or the soil, but we sure value the harvest that grows from them.

In the life of our church, Christ-like love is sometimes easy to see. But just as often it’s working behind the scenes, nourishing and supporting the good fruit of the whole community. It’s the volunteers who clean up the pews and seats after the crowds have gone. It’s the kitchen team that feeds the family when we gather for fellowship or prayer. It’s the crews that set up chairs, repair the leaks, or make the tech work for those who worship at church or home. They make everything work, and hardly anyone sees.

In a similar way it’s the objects, structures, and systems we depend on all the time. It’s boilers, chillers, toilets, and faucets. It’s bricks and mortar, roofs and windows. It’s commercial coffee pots, dishwashers, internet routers, lights, carpet, and parking lots. We take them for granted, until we can’t.

The wisdom of Scripture says about the Body of Christ that “the parts we think are less honorable, we treat with special honor.” We honor those who serve invisibly and wisely care for the structures that support the Body.

RENOVATION

Big parts of our planned renovations will happen behind the scenes. Extremely old boilers and furnaces will be replaced with new, efficient models. Drainage problems will be repaired and fire sprinklers upgraded. Cabling, WiFi, and technological systems will support and strengthen everything we do, and the better it works, the less anyone will notice.

GATHERED WORSHIP

Do you have an attic? How about a mechanical room in the basement? You probably don’t go there a lot, but the things that happen there are vitally important to the function of your whole house – and our church building too. Similarly, God is very often powerfully at work in the places we don’t think to look. How else would you describe a God who saved the world through a disgraced and rejected Jesus, dying a criminal’s death? As it was with the body of Jesus, so it is now with the Body of Christ. Most of the action happens behind the scenes, when one friend quietly prays for another, when a volunteer team sets up chairs for an event, or an usher shows up early to get the sanctuary ready for your arrival. No matter what part you play, you are the body of Christ, and individually members of it.

What I found encouraging, compelling, or challenging from the Sunday service:

My major takeaway from this week’s sermon:

What God is bringing to my attention this week as I read and pray:

Notes and prayer:

SMALL GROUPS

Why do you think we might be tempted to appreciate, notice, and commend the work of some parts of the Christian body and not others?

What is the danger in the church valuing or appreciating one part of its body over another? How does underappreciating a body part harm the church?

What might it look like if each person in our church were operating in the ways they are called, gifted, and equipped? How might the Lord make that happen?

In what ways might the Holy Spirit be inviting you to practical acts of love in our church?

NEXT STEP PRAYERS

“God, are you calling me to grow in my own humility, or perhaps to appreciate and support others who serve in unseen ways?”

“God, are you calling me to serve somewhere behind the scenes?”

“God, please guide me in making a financial commitment to the Together campaign. Teach me to steward my resources wisely, generously, and faithfully to strengthen the structures that enable ministry to flourish.”

WEEK 5

The Front Porch

EPHESIANS 2:13-22

2 CORINTHIANS 5:11 – 21

Ephesians 2:13-18

¹³But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

2 Corinthians 5:11-21

¹¹Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience. ¹²We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. ¹³If we are “out of our mind,” as some say, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. ¹⁵And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

¹⁶So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. ¹⁷Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! ¹⁸All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. ²¹God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

OUR VISION FOR PARTNERSHIP AND MOBILIZATION

The New Testament describes the church as a Spirit-empowered shared project, a home we build together.

People at UALC pray regularly for their church, serve in strategic ministries according to their gifts, and give financially to worship God and realize the vision he has given us.

Serving at UALC is something that people love to do. Volunteer ministry is so attractive because we pray for, love, and develop our volunteers and leaders intentionally and generously. They feel loved, not used; built up, not depleted; free, not stuck. They are partners in ministry not parts in a machine. We intentionally raise up and equip the emerging leadership potential of younger members and newer members who can see new opportunities to innovate and reproduce on the strength of our established DNA.

Because we love not only our church but the Church, we are actively and generously invested in local and global missions that honor God, care for the poor and vulnerable, and make disciples of Jesus also outside our own fellowship.

To learn more about our vision for partnership and mobilization, please visit

The Together campaign will improve our “front porch” and connection with our neighbors at both campuses. A new playground will welcome kids from our Lytham Road neighborhood as well as serving the UALC Preschool. New walking paths and outdoor gathering spaces will enhance our place in the Mill Run community. Multiple meeting spaces will be improved to serve not only our own ministries but ESL, IFI, and more. And the preschool improvements will help us serve the next generation of families in our community.

Even a great house comes with a risk, the risk of staying inside. And churches, like anyone else, can get isolated and disconnected from their neighbors. But God’s house also has a great front porch. We chat with neighbors there and leave from there to serve the world around us. “We who were once far away have been brought near” (Ephesians 2:11). And now “the love of Christ compels us," (2 Corinthians 5:14) and we invite others to join the family of God with us. UALC is committed to living with a big, wrap-around porch – giving generously to local and global missions, sharing our building space with other ministries, and reaching out to the neighborhoods around us.

What I found encouraging, compelling, or challenging from the Sunday service:

My major takeaway from this week’s sermon:

What God is bringing to my attention this week as I read and pray:

Notes and prayer:

SMALL GROUPS

In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, we hear that we, the church, are compelled by Christ’s love, because we are convinced that Jesus died for all, that they may live for him, “who died and was raised again.”

What does it look life for a person and a community to live compelled by Jesus’ love? How might others know that about them?

What does it mean to love someone from a worldly point of view? How does Christian love operate differently than worldly love?

Paul identifies the church as “Christ’s ambassadors” or emissaries, with this appeal: “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”

How might the church be equipped to be reconciling ambassadors? What does the church need in order to respond to this commission?

NEXT STEP PRAYERS

“God, remind me again of the grace by which you have welcomed me into your family.”

“God, are you calling me to serve our local or global neighbors in some new way?”

“God, please guide me in making a financial commitment to the Together campaign. Teach me to steward my resources wisely, generously, and faithfully to strengthen the outreach and missions of our church.”

Preparing for Commitment Sunday

Goals

The Together campaign has two simple goals:

1. 100% PARTICIPATI ON

We want every person who calls UALC home to grow in Christ and strengthen the unity of our church by participating in this campaign. We invite everyone to a spiritually catalytic encounter with God. Pray and ask what your giving commitment may look like, and also for a clear next step in engaging in your faith.

2. $10 MILL ION

We are seeking and praying for the funds to renovate our buildings and grounds to pursue our vision to be an Oasis of God’s Kingdom for the dry and thirsty world around us.

How to Engage

1. PRAY

Pray and ask God to lead you as you begin this journey to discover how he would want you to respond.

2. CONSIDER

Begin considering what this means to UALC and how you might participate with your Together commitment.

3. TALK IT OVER

Talk it over or write what you sense what might be your response. If you are married, talk to your spouse. Exchange thoughts and continue to pray and talk. If you are single, write down what you are sensing and ask God to reveal his direction for you in this decision.

Engaging in the Life of UALC

One of the primary goals of this campaign is to see 100% participation from the congregation. This may not mean that everyone decides to give, but we want everyone to engage in a spiritual encounter with God about making a financial gift and about taking next steps of faith as the Spirit leads. You have now read and heard about the different aspects of that vision – worship, education, belonging, ministry to kids and youth, behind-the-scenes service, missions and evangelism. It is our prayer that the Spirit has been prompting you, throughout this campaign, to take next steps in your own faith. We would love to help you engage more deeply in the life and mission of UALC. Here are some ways you can do that:

Worship and Devotion

Commit to making worship attendance a priority. Regularly participating in worship on Sunday mornings gives you more opportunity to receive from the Lord, hear from the Word, connect with community, and encourage others by your very presence. There is also opportunity to use the daily devotional resource, Daily Worship, to help you study and pray each day.

You can find that devotion, written daily by members of the congregation, at:

ualc.org/dailyworship

Education

Every week UALC hosts multiple Sunday school classes and Bible studies for adults. In the evenings throughout the week there are also programs for kids and teens where they are taught the Bible in an age-appropriate way. Coming this fall, Pastor Steve will be rolling out a new teaching resource, “Wells of Truth” which will allow small groups to use an engaging, UALC-created video series to dig deeper into theological and Biblical education.

Belonging

The best way to find a deep sense of belonging at UALC is by joining a small group. If you are not already connected, we’d love to help you find community there. You can view open groups at www.ualc.org/smallgroups or reach out to your Campus Pastor for help finding the right group for you. In addition to small groups, serving can be a great way to get to know others and start to form a wider network of connections. Finally, if you are experiencing hardship in life and could use extra support from the UALC community, our care ministries are ready to connect you with people who will pray with you, listen to you, and walk through difficult life seasons with you.

Find out more about this important part of our community life at:

ualc.org/care ualc.org/smallgroups

Kids and Youth

If you have kids or grandkids that you want to experience the love of God, we encourage you to help them get connected to the many programs at UALC for kids and teens. We have a robust and growing ministry to the next generation, from birth through college.

You can read more about the weekly programs, classes, camps, retreats and mission trips at:

ualc.org/nextgen

Missions and Service

Often, when God calls us to take a next step, it is in service to others. Our faith and sense of belonging both grow when we join in the mission of God to serve our neighbors. UALC has many opportunities to serve others at church, and we partner with local, national and international ministries to serve thousands of people outside of our congregation.

You can learn more about mission trip opportunities, local ministry partners, and needed volunteer opportunities within the church at:

ualc.org/serve

Commit to Give

On May 21, you will be invited to make a commitment to this three-year project during the worship service. The commitment card is your opportunity to communicate how the Lord has led you to give to his kingdom work through Together.

This table is intended to support you in your prayers about making a financial commitment. The gift amounts are intended as 3-year commitments from each household. Please pray and ask God what he wants to do in you through your giving, and how he might call you to commit and give to the future of our church.

UALC will need to receive many commitments ranging in size. We are grateful for your partnership and generosity that is preparing us to serve God and grow the UALC family now and for the generations to come.

Commitment Sunday May 21st

On this commitment card, you can indicate what you plan to give over the three-year period of the campaign, with options for how and over what schedule you have prayerfully decided to contribute. This card is vital, informing us of what to expect and how to wisely plan. Cards will be available each Worship Service leading up to Commitment Sunday on May 21.

When you receive your commitment card, fill it out and bring it with you to Commitment Sunday. You can also download a copy from the Together website at:

Important Dates

SUNDAY, APRIL 16

TOGETHER SERIES & CAMPAIGN LAUNCH

SUNDAY, MAY 21

COMMITMENT SUNDAY

(Beginning of 3-year giving commitment)

Worship at 10:00 am

SUNDAY, JUNE 4

CELEBRATION SUNDAY

Worship at 10:00 am

SATURDAY, JULY 1

LYTHAM ROAD ACCESS CHANGES

(Building access will be limited)

FALL 2023

RENOVATION WORK BEGINS

MAY 2026

COMPLETION OF OUR TOGETHER CAMPAIGN

MY TOGETHER STORY

We would love to hear about and celebrate what God has done in and through your Together journey. Please share your Together story, tear off this page, and drop it in with your offering during services. You can also share your story online at www.together.ualc.org.

Name:

Email:

Phone Number:

Happy Easter 2043. He is risen.

A Letter from Future Generations

Dear UALC family,

It’s hard to explain all the things that have changed in these last couple decades. Don’t get too worried; Columbus is still the center of the college football universe. Although I’ve heard there used to be something called the Big Ten. What’s that? We’ve seen some pretty crazy changes in the economy, politics, entertainment. And it’s hilarious to look at your pictures and see the old-fashioned clothes you all wore back in the 20’s.

But this isn’t really a letter about the future. It’s a letter about you. It’s a letter to say thank you. Because your faithfulness has gotten us through. Life is exciting, and life is hard. That hasn’t changed. We need God as much as you did. It really feels like we need him more than you, but I know you can’t go up from 100% even if it feels like it.

We still tell the stories from generation to generation. We tell our children how some of you grew at Lytham Road in the 1900s and some of you built Mill Run in the year 2000.

He is risen indeed. Hallelujah!

We tell the stories of your faith and sacrifice in 2023 to renew our church again. And we’re still passing the baton now.

Even more important, we tell the same stories we’ve always told, the stories of Jesus. We tell his own stories about sowers and seeds, prodigal sons, and servants who hear “well done.”

We tell the stories of his life, death, and resurrection. We live by his Spirit, and his Word gives us hope and strengthens our witness to this crazy world we live in.

Together, you built an Oasis of God’s Kingdom for us and our children. Thank you. We can never repay you, but we can promise to do it again in our generation.

Separated in time, united in Christ, we remain, Your spiritual children

Resources

Weekly Gathered Worship

We gather each week to worship God and encourage one another in the faith. We hear from God’s Word and participate in the sacraments of communion and baptism.

ualc.org/worship

Mill Run Campus - 9:00 am, 11:00 am (Modern)

3500 Mill Run Drive

Hilliard, OH 43026

Lytham Road Campus - 9:00 am (Traditional), 11:00 am (Modern) 2300 Lytham Road

Columbus, OH 43220

Small Groups

A small group is a band of brothers and sisters in Christ where you can know and be known, love and be loved, care and be cared for, and grow in Christ together. Small groups meet 3-4 times per month all across town. This is the primary experience of Christian community.

New small groups continue to form at UALC and several of our existing groups would love to have you join them. Learn more and get connected today:

ualc.org/smallgroup

Daily Worship

Our daily pursuit to grow in relationship with God typically looks like daily Bible readings and prayer. However, it can also include disciplines like fasting, confessing, jou rnaling, simplicity, solitude, and stewarding talents and resources. Scan below to access our Daily Worship blog, which includes daily scripture readings and a reflection written by members and staff of UALC.

Stay Connected

ualc.org/dailyworship ualc.org/stayconnected

Online hub with current information for our UALC community. Search for current and upcoming announcements and ministry opportunities.

Next Gen & Family Resources

Kids Ministry: PreK - 5th grade

Partnering with the church to engage children with the Gospel in ways that are caught and taught.

ualc.org/kids

Middle School Ministry

Affirming our identity as children of God and learning to take greater ownership of our faith.

ualc.org/middleschool

High School Ministry

Pursuing the way of Jesus as a community of believers, committed to putting our faith into action.

ualc.org/highschool

Next Steps at UALC

Engage in Service

Information on how to serve within UALC and come alongside our local and global mission partners.

ualc.org/serve

Care and Support Ministries

Prayer, care, and support ministry information.

ualc.org/care

Giving

Giving to the general fund makes ministry possible at UALC. 20% of your giving goes directly to support mission partners, locally and around the world. The other 80% supports preaching the gospel and the ongoing work of this church.

UALC